Box.



No. 644,300. Patented Feb. 27, moo.

.D. B. MBPHERSDN.

. BOX.

' (Application filed Nov. 8, 1899.)

(No Model.)

' wrwsse8* Z Y I lzvimon- NrTE STATES Amer BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 644,300, dated February27, 1900.

Application filed November 8, 1899. Serial No. 786,236. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID B. McPHERsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Bos ton, county of Suffolk,State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Boxes, of whichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing likeparts.

This invention relates to knockdown boxes, and has for its object moreparticularly the production of such a box suitable to contain electricbatteries for telephone and other purposes where a strong box isrequired, and a box which it is desirable to keep on hand in quantities.Such boxes when assembled necessarily take up a great deal of room, andthere is a peculiar need for a box which can readily be assembled andwhen so assembled will be very strong, but when knocked down will occupya minimum of storage room.

It will be understood that I do not limit my box to use in connectionwith batteries, but contemplate its utilization in any field where itsnovel features will render its use of advantage.

The various features of my invention will be fully illustrated anddescribed in the accompanying drawings and description and set forth inthe claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a box in theconstruction of which my invention has been embodied, the box beingshown with the various parts assembled, the lid raised, and the frontopened out partially, part being broken away to aid in the clearunderstanding of the novel construction. Fig. 2 is a sectional view ofthe left-hand rear corner-joint at the point 00, Fig. 3 being a similarsectional view on a vertical plane passing through the back of the boxat its joint with the bottom.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, selected as a convenientform for illustration and description to enable my invention to beunderstood, a designates the rear member of the box, andb the sidemembers, respectively, which latter are shown as connected to the rearmember by a dovetailedjoint 0, in this instance the tenon being upon theside members, respectively, while the mortises are on the rear, thejoint extending, preferably, throughout the entire region of contact ofthe rear and side members.

The bottom member (1 of the box is connected to the side members throughthe medium of a mortised joint extending horizontally from front to rearof the box. The joint 0 between the bottom and side members is shown asa mortise-and-tenon one, with the tenon upon the bottom member, but adovetailed joint might be substituted at this point, although I do notregard such substitution as of any particular advantage.

The front of the box is shown as a double member e, the parts beinghinged together at e and in this instance of my invention secured to thefront of the box by suitable fastenings (shown in Fig. 1 at c of anysuitable number and position, screws beingillustrated merely by reasonof their capacity for being removed, though their substitution by anyother removable fastening falls within the scope of my invention.

To enable ready introduction of the batteries or other articles into andtheir removal from the box, the upper part e of the member e is shown asfree from fastening to the side members I), and for strength said partis shown as comprising a middle panel having at its Vertical edgesreinforcing or strengthening strips e These strips in Fig. 1 are shownas having vertical grooves e to receive and cooperate with verticaltenons Z), presented by the side members I), the two coop crating toimpart lateral strength to the box, the side members being apt to warpunder the action of acids which may leak from the telephone-batteries.

The top of the box, in the instance illustrated, is likewise formed as atwo-part member f f, being secured by its narrow rear por tion f to theback member of the box by suit able fastenings, as the screws f or beingotherwise suitably secured to the box. The parts of the top may besecured together suitably, as by hinges f To hold thefront of the box inclosed position, suitable fastening means may be provided, and if hooksare utilized, as shown at e', Fig. 1, to cooperate with eyes f upon thelid of the box it will be obvious that not only will the front be heldin place, but the lid will be held down, this feature, however, beingalready well known and not being essential to my invention.

In knocking down the box the front will be removed first by taking outthe screws or other fastenings 6 after which the bottom member d may bedrawn forward and the side members I) drawn lengthwise to withdraw theirtenons from the mortises in the rear member 0. The top member may andpreferably will be removed first by withdrawing the screws or otherfastenings f and after dissemblage it will be obvious that the membersof the box maybe stacked upon each other, consisting entirely, as theydo, of flat pieces of board.

A reversal of the process just described can be readily accomplished toset up the members of the box in assembled position. It will be seenreadily that by this construction the strength is presented at the longrear joint of the box, where it is most needed, and that the membersbetween which this joint is formed are securely locked in place by thetenon upon the bottom member, whereas, as already noted, lateralstrength is further secured by the upright tongues b and grooves 6 theample provision for ready dissemblage being so obvious as not to requirefurther explanation.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A box of the class described, comprising a back member; side membersunited thereto by vertical dovetail joints; a bottom member having amortised joint with said side members; and top and front members adaptedto be secured removably to said assembled mem- 4o bers, to complete saidbox, said top and front members each comprising a fixed part and aswinging part hinged thereto, said swinging parts fitting against eachother when the box is closed; means to hold said swinging parts in fixedposition; and a vertical tongue-andgrooved jointintermediate said sideand front' members to impart lateral strength to said box front, withoutinterfering with the free swinging movement of said upper front part.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID B. MCPI'IERSON.

WVitnesses:

ALEXANDER O. PROUDFI'L, FREDERICK L. EMERY.

